Page 17 of Retribution

“Thorne Ballet Studios!”

I jump up from my seat and cheer the girls, as do the rest of the crowd. Seeing Willow light up with such happiness brings a tear to my eye.

The woman from the brochure steps forward and accepts the microphone from a staff member. Her smile is mesmerizing, causing her dimples to pop. I feel like I can’t take my eyes away from her, she radiates a warm energy that makes me feel at home.

“Thank you so much to every one of the judges for this opportunity. Our team have worked tirelessly, and I couldn’t be prouder of them, they put on a beautiful performance!” She turns back to the class, each of them cheering whilst the whole room applauds.

“Thank you, Miss Thorne. Well done everyone for participating, we can’t thank you enough for your hard work and effort. Without further or do, we would like to announce the awards for the individuals who stood out to us the most within their performances…”

They announce three solo awards. Willow looks nervous and slightly wounded that she hasn’t won any of the awards, yet.

“The final award we have to announce, is our most prestigious award we can offer at youth level, the ‘Star Quality’ solo award.”

My heart thumps.

“Willow Breckenridge!”

I whistle and ferociously clap my hands, grinning so hard my cheeks hurt. She looks afraid to step into the spotlight to accept the award so Miss Thorne grasps hold of her hand, walking out with her.

“Thank you so much everybody, especially you, Indie!”

Indie. The beautiful face has a beautiful name.

There it is. The dimple pops out. They are like an aesthetically pleasing game of hide and seek, and boy did I want to play.

As the show ends, I make my way backstage, on the hunt for Willow. I find her completely giddy and showing off her new award.

I kneel, sweeping her up into my arms swinging her around, her tiny body being encased in mine.

“Daddy! Did you see me? Have you seen my award? We won, Daddy!” she rambles, proud.

I erupt into laughter, nodding my head at her eccentric energy.

Setting her down, I kiss her on the cheek,“You were fantastic, Lo.”

After a while of talking, I ask Bridget to take her out for a well-deserved milkshake and I’ll meet up with them shortly after.

There is just someone who I want to thank, for making my girl so happy.

As the dressing rooms begin to clear out, my eyes rest upon the sign that reads ‘Thorne Ballet Studios’.

Doing a quick once-over in the mirror nearest to me, I button up my blazer jacket. I clear my throat and knocked twice.

Almost straight away, the door is thrown wide open and what stands before me is nothing like I have ever seen.

Those green eyes are even more enticing in person, they pierce straight through me as if she can read every thought that was going on in my head.

I move my eyes down her face to her lips, painted seductively in a deep shade of red.

I clear my throat again in an attempt to take away the sudden dryness.

“Hi, are you Indie?” I barely manage to choke out.

“Yes, she is me, I am her.” she giggles.

God. That laugh, and oh, there they are again. Those dimples.

Reed.

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